Page 134 of Forgotten Sacrifice

“That remains to be seen.”

“I thought you didn’t know?—”

“I’m messing with you.” Darius chuckles.

Arriving at the boss’s house and clearing security, Darius escorts me inside.

“Boss.” I knock on the office door.

“Enter.”

I step inside the room to find the boss, Sam, and Fabio.

Romeo says something to Darius in Greek, and he responds with laughter in his voice.

“Good luck,” Darius tells me before closing the door.

“Vince.” Romeo gestures to the empty chair between the underboss and my capo.

“Gentlemen.” I nod at Sam and Fabio before taking my seat.

“I’ve considered what we discussed, and I’ve come to my decision.” Romeo tents his fingers, pausing. The most dramatic pause of my life. “And that’s to give you a decision.”

“Alright,” I say tentatively.

“Option one. You’re out. Your name stricken from thebooks, like you were never part of this family. You’ll close your sportsbooks and settle up, and we’ll part ways.”

“What’s the catch?”

“No catch. Like I said, once you’re stricken from the books, it’s a clean slate for you. Go live your pedestrian life.” Romeo waves his hand.

“And option two?” I ask, not quite believing option one.

“Option two is you join the family,” Romeo says.

My brow furrows. “I don’t understand.”

“As children, Sam and I were warned never to be alone with Uncle Joseph, and now we know why,” Romeo admits. “My father should’ve put a bullet in that pedo’s head long before you and your brother came on the scene. But he didn’t.”

“No, he didn’t,” I say through gritted teeth.

Romeo holds up his hands. “I can’t undo what’s been done; I can only hope to atone. You and your brother were wronged by a member of this family, and I’m in a position to make it right.”

“I’m not following the part about me joining the family,” I tell him.

“It’ll be more a symbolic made ceremony, with your capo sponsoring you,” he explains. “Someone who can vouch for your honor and fitness. Someone who genuinely wants you to be a part of this family.”

“Hell, I’d do it myself if Fabio didn’t already volunteer,” Sam says.

“There’s your ties to the family. The boss, underboss, and capo all vouching for you,” Romeo tells me.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“You’ll keep your seniority,” he continues. “Close your sportsbooks and open your restaurant. I wouldn’t mind expanding our reach down the shore.”

“I need some time to think about this,” I say.

“Of course. Take twenty-four hours to sleep on it. Justknow if you choose option one, you’ll have a hard time finding commercial space for your restaurant.”